Button feeder



April 23, 1963 w. A. TROLL 3,086,486

BUTTON FEEDER Original Filed Dec. 27, 1956 3a 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 wa Mallllllllii INVENTOR @ATTORNEY W. A. TROLL BUTTON FEEDER April 23, 1963 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Dec. 27, 1956 INVENTOR WM QM BY W. A.TROLL BUTTON FEEDER April 23, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original File d Dec.27, 1956 INVENTQR MTTORNEY April 23, 1963 I w. A. TROLL 3,086,486

BUTTON FEEDER Original Filed Dec. 27, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 T12]. .35.

INVENTOR flTTORNEY W. A. TROLL BUTTON FEEDER April 23,1963

Original Filed Dec. 27, 1956 1a.

5 SEets-Sheet 5 'zgj/ ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,086,486 BUTTONFEEDER William A. Troll, Ridgewood, N.Y., assignor to Emsiglganufacturing Company, New York, N.Y., a partners 1p Originalapplication Dec. 27, 1956, Ser. No. 630,778, new Patent No. 3,008,607,dated Nov. 1.4, 1961. Divided and this application Aug. 3, 1960, Ser.No. 47,238 3 Claims. (Cl. 112-113) This invention relates to buttonfeeders, and more particularly to button orienting and feeding means foruse in button sewing operations.

My invention more specifically relates to orienting means for buttons ofthe self-shank type, and still more particularly to the sewing andfeeding of lenticular, shankless buttons more specifically described andset forth in the patent of Sidney Emsig, No. 2,939,171, issued June 7,1960, entitled Button, and is a division of my application Serial No.630,778, filed December 27, 1956, now Patent No. 3,008,607, issued Nov.14, 1961.

My invention particularly has for its object making it commerciallyeconomically possible to effect sewing operations of shankless buttons,particularly shankless buttons of a generally lenticular configuration.

Among the objects of the invention is the provision of feeding means forbuttons of the character described as applicable to automatic buttonsewing machines whereby with each automatically performed cycle ofbutton sewing, the button will be brought into sewing position, orientedwith the sewing hole thereof in respect of the path of the needle. Inits more specific phases, the ob jects of the invention are to provide afeeder so that the cycle of raising the presser foot means to permit thelocation of the work in position for afiixing the button and releasingthe presser foot to set into motion the mechanism to carry out thestitching operation, will be accompanied by a positioning of the nextbutton and an ejection of the button sewn to thework, all accomplishedwithout manual handling of the button and accomplished as rapidly as thecycles of sewing can be elfected.

While automatic feeding of buttons of the self-shank type andsew-through type has been successfully accomplished in my Patents Nos.2,597,912 of May 27, 1952, and 2,661,709 of December 8, 1953, theadaptation of said feeders to self-shank buttons, particularly oflenticular outline, has encountered obstacles due to the relativelysymmetrical contour of lenticular buttons.

Furthermore, while the retention of shank buttons in sewing positionagainst the work has been demonstrated as feasible by one of my patentsaforementioned, the very minute and limited extension of thesubstantially semispherical surface of a lenticularly shaped button hasheretofore confined the use of this button to manual sewing operations,notwithstanding its highly desirable properties, structurally andornamentally.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide a buttonclassifying assembly whereby buttons of symmetrical outline, includingshankless buttons or those approaching a lenticular outline, may bequickly and facilely fed in oriented position for use in attachment towork, either for manually handling the same or for automatically feedingthe same to an automatic feeder as part of an automatic button afiixingor sewing machine.

Still more particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide abutton classifier for orienting buttons of lenticular shapecontinuously, whereby they may be quickly and efliciently fed to abutton ailixing device.

Still more particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide abutton classifying device for orienting buttons, particularly of theself-shank contour or lenticular outline, from a bulk supply to anautomatic button alfixing device whereby the button aflixing operationmay be quickly and automatically conducted.

Still more particularly, it is an object of my invention to provide afeeder for lenticularly shaped buttons whereby such buttons may bequickly and effectively sewn to the work.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein orbe hereinafter pointed out, I make reference to the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part hereof, in which- FIGURE 1 is a perspectiveview showing a feeder assembly in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a magnified sectional view of a classifying hopper, withparts broken away;

FIGURE 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 3A is a perspective view of the standard for the hopper;

FIGURE 3B is a fragmentary section taken on the line 3B-3B of FIGURE 3A;

FIGURE 30 is a side elevation of a button to be used in the assembly;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE2;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 5--5 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a magnified sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary view taken on the line 88 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 99 of FIGURE 8FIGURE 10 is a magnified sectional view taken on the line 10-10 ofFIGURE 9; and

FIGURE 11 is a magnified, fragmentary, perspective view of the lowerportion of FIGURE 1.

My invention may be summarized in providing a classifier for self-shankbuttons, particularly applicable to a bulk source of such buttons, asare of substantially lenticular outline and have front and rear faceswhich are substantially symmetrical to each other and include a threadaperture running along the front and rear faces, and a circular rimedge, which offer difficult problems in orienting not present in shankbuttons. Thus, in accordance with the features of my invention,substantially symmetrical shapes may be oriented at high speeds forcoupling to a button feeder of a button sewing machine, to assure acontinuous flow of the buttons in consonance with the speed at whichautomatic button-sewing operations may be conducted.

Other features of the invention reside in the provision of a combinedclassifying hopper and button feeder for lenticular buttons of thecharacter described, which will assure an abundant supply of orientedbuttons without interruption, and minimizing any interruption in edge-toedge contact of a series of buttons in the chute leading to a buttonsewing machine.

Other features of my invention reside in the provision of a buttonfeeder for buttons of lenticular or substantially spherical outline,heretofore presenting unusual dif ficulty in manually and automaticallyfeeding to a button sewing machine. 7

Still more particularly, the invention resides in the provision of abutton feeder for a lenticularly shaped button, to orient the threadreceiving aperture quickly and automatically, notwithstanding theabsence of projecting faces normally found in shank buttons orunsymmetrical sewthrough buttons, whereby this type of highly ornamentalbutton may be practicably put to use at speeds of operation heretoforenot attainable.

I now make reference to the drawings, wherein it is to be noted that thephases of my invention fall into the following categories:

Ia classifying hopper; II-a feeder chute; and III-a presser foot buttonsewer and ejector.

I. The Classifying Hopper It is to be noted at the outset that theclassifying hopper now to be described concerns itself, in its specificform, with the classification of buttons of substantially lenticularoutline, in which the front face and the rear face are substantiallysymmetrical, having a contour which may approach a spheroid, without anyprojecting shank locating the thread receiving hole to run between theopposed faces.

It is an object of this invention to utilize the features ofconstruction of the button covered by the Emsig patent aforementioned,and particularly the knot cavity or groove thereof, to make possible arapid, accurate and continuous flow of such buttons to keep pace withhigh speed automatic button sewing machines.

In the figures, a hopper is arranged to be supported on a standard 11having a base 12, affixed to a table top on which the button sewingmachine 13 is mounted. The standard 11 receives a sleeve 14 which, atits lower end 14a, rests on a collar 14b, adjustably connected to thestandard 11.

The sleeve 14, at its upper end, is bifurcated to provide the spacedarms 14c, between which the vertical arm 14d is pivotally held by thepin 14a. An edge 14 is arranged to engage the bottom wall between thearms 140 to act as a stop rearwardly. A curved edge 14g permits forwardtilting of the arm 14d within limits, as will appear herebelow.

The arm 14d has adjacent its upper end 15 provision for means formounting the hopper housing 16. A hearing or like aperture 17 supportsthe shaft 18 which extends substantially horizontally. The housing 16has a rearwardly extending boss 17a through which the shaft 18 extendsand thereby supports the housing pivotally.

Side flanges 1611-4611, extending forwardly for a limited portionthereof but terminating adjacent the boss 17a, removably support thecover of the hopper and have a bottom wall 19 forming a circular raceway20, into which the rear flange member 21 and the spider 22 fit. The rearflange member 21 and the spider 22 are keyed to the shaft 18 forrotation, to extend the peripheral edges 23 and 24 in close adjacency tothe raceway 20.

At its upper portion, the housing 16 has an angularly directed edge wall25 of semi-circular outline to which the shield 26 is removably aflixed,completing, with the bottom wall 19, a complete peripheral racewayextending over the peripheries 23 and 24 of the flange and spider,respectively.

The flange member 21 has extending from its rear face a pulley 27 forrotational driving by the belt 28, as will appear more clearly as thisdescription proceeds.

The flange member 21 has its front face 29 formed with a smooth guidesurface terminating axially in an axial race 30, spacing the spider 22therefrom. The spider 22 consists of an axial boss 31 fitting over aboss 32 extending from the flange member 21, so that the flange member2a. and spider 22 may rotate in unison in spaced relation to each otheron the shaft 18. A front cover 33 has a bearing flange 34 sleeved on theouter end 35 of the shaft 18, to provide a chamber 36 to one side of thespider. An edge 37 of the cover 3-3 cooperates with an extension wall 38of the housing 16, to provide a filling aperture to the chamber 36.

The cover member 33 has a guide wall 39 enclosing the front faceadjacent the periphery of the spider 24 for a distance axially inwardlyof the spider channels 40,

six in number, each defined by radial spokes 41, axially by the hub 42and peripherally by the ledge 43 which flares angularly toward theraceway 20. The channels 40 form passages connecting the chamber 36 withthe raceway 20, the latter being controlled as to depth with regard tothe distance from the guide face 29 to the spider face 44, substantiallyto conform to the depth D of a button B (see FIGURE 3C).

The face 44 of the spider 24 adjacent the raceway 20 is blocked bybutton limiting means comprising pegs 45 arranged peripherally adjacentthe ledges 43. The distance L between the button limiting pegs 45 isless than the diameter L of the button B. The ends 46 of the buttonlimiting pegs extend into the raceway for a distance defining a passageP approximately equal to the thickness D of the button, and thereforefor a distance less than the depth D at any other section of the buttonwhich is thickest to either side of the groove G.

The housing adjacent the raceway has an extension arm 47 formed with alongitudinal groove 48 defined by the edge wall 49 on the lower side andby the edge wall 50 on the upper side. The groove 48 correspondssubstantially to the diameter L of the button, forming a throat Tleading to the raceway. An extension plate 51 covers the groove 48adjacent the throat T, to limit the throat T, for purposes which willappear as this description proceeds.

The cover 33 has edge flanges 52 and 53 substantially diametricallyenveloping the raceway, limited adjacent the edge 49 of the edge wallsof the throat T. An auxiliary throat 54 is angularly extended above theextension arm 47 and combines with a back plate 55 to form a dischargechannel 56, leading to the raceway. A closure 57 is pivoted by the pin58 at one end and enters into the slot 59, removably to block theauxiliary throat, for purposes which will appear as this descriptionproceeds.

With the construction described, front and rear orientation of buttonsof the character aforementioned is obtained by furnishing a bulk ofbuttons and depositing the same in the chamber 36. Agitation by rotationof the spider is then effected. For this purpose, a motor M is mountedon a bracket 60 supported and bolted to the arm 60a which has a bearing6% through which the shaft 18 passes. The arm is adjustably held on theshaft by the set screw at the edge of the arm, to engage the shaft 18.The motor has a drive shaft 61 substantially in parallelism with theshaft 18. The drive shaft 61 is provided with a pulley 62 for drivingthe belt 28, Which extends over the pulley 27. The motor M may berotated constantly, thereby continuously to drive the pulley 27 and thespider assembly coupled therewith.

The spider provides tumbling means to present the buttons underagitation through the channels 40, progressively reaching the raceway 20previously described when the button limiting means in the form of thepegs 45 permits the buttons to pass radially outwardly under conditionsexemplified in FIGURES 8, 9 and 10, and limited as to rear and faceorientation when the button groove G straddles the ends 46 of the pegs45. This is exemplified in the condition R shown in FIGURE 10, thecondition of buttons at R, R and R exemplifying various possiblepositions of the button with respect to the limiting means or pegs 45. Rparticularly exemplifies a position which will preclude a button fromever reaching the raceway since the spacing L between pegs, as well asthe length of the pegs, would prevent discharge from the channel to theraceway.

By the constant agitation of the spider, a quick orientation of thebuttons is achieved, and the buttons are arranged in the raceway where,in an edgewise position of the buttons, they may roll continuously underthe constant rotation of the spider and will not offer any materialfrictional resistance as the buttons are rolled to a position up to thethroat T or away from the same. The

presence of a button in the throat T, accordingly, will cause nointerference to continuous rotation.

Discharge of the buttons may then be effected through the throat T alongthe groove 48 or, optionally, through the auxiliary throat 54, bypivotally moving the closure 57 to unblock the auxiliary throat andthereby permitting the emptying of the hopper through the channel 56.

The construction described provides a front to rear oriented position ofthe buttons as they emerge from the throat T along the groove 48.

Should it be found desirable manually to remove a button from the groove48, there is provided along the extension 47 a closure 63 which isremovable by pivoting on the hinge 63, and which provides a ledge 64substantially medially across the groove 48, thereby restraining lateraldischarge of the buttons along the groove 48 except when the closure 63is pivoted out of position. A latch 65, pivoted by the pin 66 on thechute segment 67, maintains the closure 63 in the groove coveringposition.

The assembly thus far described provides a first stage orientation ofthe buttons discharged through the throat T, at which point, asdescribed, the closure 63 may be opened for manual removal of buttons.This initial orientation provides means for readily handling thebuttons, if this alone is the desired position. The assembly, however,is primarily arranged for use in an automatic feeder which will now bedescribed.

II. The Feeder Chute The extension arm 47 previously described isaligned with the chute segment 67 which is provided with a guide wall 68in alignment with the edge wall 49 of the extension 47. The contiguousportions of the edges 49 and 68 are provided with a cutout 69 into whichthe peripheral edge 70 of the friction wheel 71 extends, to position theedge in alignment with the walls 49 and 68. The wheel 71 is driven bythe shaft 61 of the motor M pre viously described. Buttons reaching thegap of the cutout 69 are thereby brought into peripheral contact withthe friction wheel 71 by reason of the continuous rotation of thismember.

"The upper edge of the chute groove 48 is provided with a pressure arm72, pivoted beneath the extension '54 by the pivot pin 73. A pressurefinger 74 contacts the upper edge of the button under the pressure ofthe spring 75, to maintain the button in contact with the friction wheel71, thereby providing a guide slot 76 into whichthe pin 77 extends,yieldably to provide friction restraint and detent action on the buttonreaching the position beyond the point of tangency of the friction wheel71 and the edge 49. The friction wheel rotates clockwise as viewed inFIGURE 2, imparting counter-clockwise rotation to the button in contactwith the periphery 70 of the wheel.

The pressure finger 74, as it contacts the button, is channeled, as moreclearly shown in FIGURE 6, to restrain the button against lateraldisplacement as it is rolled by the friction wheel 71 and moves along toencounter the leading edge-68' of the chute segment 67. At this portion,the guide wall 68 is overlapped by the cover plate 78 having an inwardlydirected flange79 which includes a tapering gate 80 adjacent the edge81. As the button is rotated by the friction wheel 71, the button firstcomes in contact with the cover plate 78 adjacent the edge 81, and thenin contact with the gate '80, which is positioned to be aligned with thegroove G of the button when it is rolling on the edge 68. Thereupon thebutton may gravitationally slide along the downwardly, angularlydirected chute edge 68 and is maintained oriented by reason of theflange 79, holding the button against further rotary movement as itgravitates along the chute section, the end section 67 being providedalong its length in opposition to the cover 78 with an angle plate 82,having a lengthwisely extended lip 83 edgewisely covering the edges ofthe row of buttons in the section 67 The chute section 67 is coupled tothe chute section 84, constructed in all respects along its primarylength com- 6 plemental to the chute section 67. Articulation isprovided by a joint formed by the plate 85, which carries the pin 86 incoupling engagement with the ear 87. The chute section 84 terminates ina presser foot segment 88, the related details of which will now bedescribed.

III. The Presser Foot Button Sewer and Ejector The presser foot segment88 adjacent the chute section 67 has a guide wall 89 aligned at itsupper edge with the guide wall 68 of the section 67. A cover plate 90 isformed with a flange 91 arranged to extend into the button groove G ofthe row of slidably mounted buttons in a manner similar to the flange 79previously described, following however the contour of the elbow 92which is arranged to extend substantially in parallelism to the workholding member 93. The chute segment 84 likewise includes a horizontallyextending segment 94 and is affixed to the flange 95 of the work holdingclamp 96 of the button sewing machine, the work holding clamp 96 havinga block 97 adapted to be hooked to the lifting bar 98, whose upper end99 is coupled to the lifting lever 100 in a manner well known in thebutton sewing machine of the type known as the Singer Button SewingMachine #114.

The clamp arm 96 thereby is periodically and cyclically raised with eachbutton sewing cycle, thereby to raise the horizontally extended presserfoot segment 94, and with it to pivot the chute segment 84, furtherarticulation being secured about the shaft 18 and the pin 14e,previously described.

The cover plate 90, at the presser foot segment 88, terminates in anangular branch 101 which merges into a pin 102. The branch 101 isresiliently urged against the segment 94 by the left spring 103 whichpinches the buttons B and B frictionally to hold the buttons in thepresser foot section adjacent the anvil 104.

The pin 102, being an extension of the flange 91, engages the groove Gof the button and holds the button with the thread receiving apertures Avertically oriented in opposed position to the needle N. The row ofbuttons slidably gravitates in the channel of the chute segment 84,oriented under the guidance of a cover section 90, and is further heldagainst tiltabl-e transverse displacement by the complemental coversection 90a. A lateral flange 9%, formed outwardly from the cover 90a,overlies the edges of the buttons from adjacent the end of the section67 to and adjacent the edge 105 immediately above the elbow 88. Adjacentthe terminal portlon 105 of the cover section 90a, there is positioned apawl guide 106 comprising a rotatable flange wheel,'to one side of whichextends the pawl 107, pivotallymounted on the pivoted lever 108 by thepin 108a, the lever 108 extending into contact with the lower edge ofthe sewing machine head, with which it is kept in contact.

The pawl 107 has a feeder finger 109 which may en gage the edge of thebutton. The pawl 107 is biased by the spring 110, to urge the cammingface 111 into contact with the wheel 106, acting as a follower for thecam 111, as well as to bring the lever 108 into contact with the head ofthe machine.

The cam 111 may include a compound cam surface to provide, in relationto the follower and guide 106, a compound retracting and swingingmovement terminating against the stop 112 as the limiting position,accurately to bring the button B into sewing position and to dischargethe sewn button.

The sewing cycle of the machine described includes a work holdingposition wherein the button B held by the finger 102, presses againstfabric overlying the anvil 104. With the installation as described, thebutton has been oriented so that its aperture A is aligned to receivethe needle N during the back and forward jogging action of the needlewhere the work is stationary (or to be moved in relation to the needle,in the case of installations of button sewing machines where the work isjogged). In either case there is a release of the mechanism of thebutton sewing machine to lift the presser foot by means of the lift bar98. This action drives the segments 84 upwardly to actuate the feederpawl 107 so that the pawl finger 109 is swept to enter between thebuttons B and B by engagement with the flange follower wheel 106,sliding the button B to the position previously occupied by the button Band ejecting the sewn button with the work.

The succeeding operation by the operator, by treadle means known in thistype of button sewing machine installation, releases the presser footinto work holding engagement, with the button B properly alignedadjacent the anvil 104 and the needle N. Here, at this point, the sewingcycle is repeated, the stitching put into action being effected throughthe aperture A of the button, and successively about the pin 102, toenter the fabric which has been pinched by the pin 102 of the presseragainst the anvil 104. The repeated number of stitches with the requiredamount of loops as used in ,afl'ixing self-shank buttons are executed.The pin 102 being within the groove, the fabric to which the button issewn determines under thread tension the length of the thread loop ofthe stitch and no extension of the loop is added because of the pinthickness. The penetration of the pawl finger 109 between adjacentbuttons in the B and B position does not undesirably cant the buttonsunder the restraining influence of the flange 91 entering the groove G,so that jamming of the buttons rearwardly is thereby avoided.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the classifying hopper asprovided by me assures an edge-to-edge arrangement of the buttons inface and rear oriented position, providing a supply which will keep pacewith high speed withdrawal as the circumstances of the feeder mayrequire. This is accomplished without the chance of blocking of thethroat of the hopper or the need for employing slip belt motorizeddriving means, due to inactivity at intervals in the sewing cycle.

Furthermore, a relatively wide range of sizes of buttons may be handledby the same hopper, where the button thickness remains substantiallyconstant, limited only by the distance of the channel limiting means 45to the periphery and the spacing between these members to be less thanthe diameter of the button, further limitation as to a range of sizesbeing a factor of the yieldability of the arm 72 and the slot 76 to keepthe buttons in contact with the wheel 71.

These advantages are further achieved by effecting the orientation intwo stages, each employing a rolling action as the buttons are fed fromthe bulk source to the chute leading to the button presser footassembly.

By the employment of chute means having a guide engaging the buttonindentation or groove, including the indentation engaging flange 79which guides the buttons seriatim edgewise, a relatively wide range ofbutton sizes may be employed with the same chute, where the buttons havea depth of substantially the same magnitude, requiring merely themaintenance of the flange 79 adjacent the midpoint of the button inrelation to the gate 80 with respect to the point of tangency to theperiphery 70 of the wheel 71.

By the employment of a presser foot including the indentation or rearslot engaging pin 102 as described, the buttons are maintained againsttilting or canting within the chute, making possible the feed of thebuttons to eject the same by engagement extended to within the chutechannel. This operation avoids blocking or jamming, notwithstanding anextensive pressure head of a row of buttons as a continuous column.

By the provision of the pin 102 directed to extend within the body ofthe button, to hold the buttons in oriented position during sewing, apredetermined tension of the thread loop to the work may be secured,while retaining the button erect on the face of the work, thus effectingeconomies in labor by eliminating the manipulation of the button alongthe thread to present such relationship as is the case in some shankbutton sewing operations Where the thread is applied to extend the sideof the shank and then it is required that the button be turned erectcoaxially with the shank.

In general, high speed feeding of shankless buttons is thereby provided,to maintain the supply of buttons in pace with the button aflixingmechanism.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claimis new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a button feeder for a button sewing machine for shankless buttonsof substantially lenticular outline having a thread aperture runningrearwardly of the front face and including walls defining a clearanceslot to one side thereof, a chute for guiding said buttons seriatim inedge to edge contact, including a channel outlining means and channelguide means spaced therefrom, having an inwardly directed flange alongits length extending from the guide means, of a depth for engaging saidwalls defining said slot on the rear face of said button, said chuteincluding a presser foot portion and said guide terminating in a pinextending in alignment with said flange arranged to be seated withinsaid slot and about which pin the sewing thread loops may be effected inengaging the button to the work.

2. In a button feeder for a button sewing machine for shankless buttonsof substantially lenticular outline having a thread aperture runningrearwardly of the front face and including a clearance slot, a chute forguiding said buttons seriatim in edge to edge contact, said chutecomprising a rear plate and a front guide between which said buttons arearranged to be spaced bodily, said guide including a button slotengaging flange along the length of said guide, for a depth in saidchute holding said buttons oriented along the length of the chute, saidchute having a presser foot portion at its terminal end, said flange onsaid guide terminating into a pin member in opposed position to saidpresser foot portion, arranged to enter said button slots and aboutwhich pin thread loops may be effected in attaching the button to thework.

3. In a button feeder for a button sewing machine for shankless buttonsof substantially lenticular outline having a thread aperture runningrearwardly of the front face and including a clearance slot, a chute forguiding said buttons seriatim in edge to edge contact, said chutecomprising a rear plate and a front guide between which said buttons arearranged to be spaced bodily, said guide including a button slotengaging flange along the length of said guide, for a depth in saidchute holding said buttons oriented along the length of the chute, saidchute having a presser foot portion at its terminal end, said flange onsaid guide terminating into a pin member in opposed position to saidpresser foot portion, arranged to enter said button slot and pawl meansarranged to be guided between said presser foot and pin, tiltably toeject a button from between said presser foot and pin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS a690,329 Thomson Dec. 31, 1901 1,063,885 Kiewicz June 3, 1913 1,940,229Rawnsley Dec. 19, 1933 2,661,709 Troll Dec. 8, 1953 2,803,204 AlfandreAug. 20, 1957 2,934,032 Troll Apr. 26, 1960

1. IN A BUTTON FEEDER FOR A BUTTON SEWING MACHINE FOR SHANKLESS BUTTONSOF SUBSTANTIALLY LENTICULAR OUTLINE HAVING A THREAD APERTURE RUNNINGREARWARDLY OF THE FRONT FACE AND INCLUDING WALLS DEFINING A CLEARANCESLOT TO ONE SIDE THEREOF, A CHUTE FOR GUIDING SAID BUTTONS SERIATIM INEDGE TO EDGE CONTACT, INCLUDING A CHANNEL OUTLINING MEANS AND CHANNELGUIDE MEANS SPACED THEREFROM, HAVING AN INWARDLY DIRECTED FLANGE ALONGITS LENGTH EXTENDING FROM THE GUIDE MEANS, OF A DEPTH FOR ENGAGING SAIDWALLS DEFINING SAID SLOT ON THE REAR FACE OF SAID BUTTON, SAID CHUTEINCLUDING A PRESSER FOOT PORTION AND SAID GUIDE TERMINATING IN A PINEXTENDING IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID FLANGE ARRANGED TO BE SEATED WITHINSAID SLOT AND ABOUT WHICH PIN THE SEWING THREAD LOOPS MAY BE EFFECTED INENGAGING THE BUTTON TO THE WORK.